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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "HENRY THAPS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hkthapelo8@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:50:20 -0800
Subject: Re: Beneficial Request!!! Treat As Very Urgent.

Compliments of the season! I am Mr. Henry Thapelo, a credit manager of Capitec Bank Ltd in South Africa. I need your assistance in executing a business. It involves the transfer of the sum of US$19.5 Million dollars. I shall perfect all legal documents in your name to make you the legal beneficiary of the funds. Once the funds are transferred to your nominated account we will share the proceeds in a ratio of 65% for me, 30% for you and 5% for expenses. This is a secret deal and I require utmost confidentiality. If you are interested, kindly respond by sending the following information below for further details. 1.Full names 2. Postal address and 3. Your direct/personal phone number. Send your reply only to this secret email address hkthapelo8@aol.com Kind Regards, Mr. Henry Thapelo. hkthapelo8@aol.com

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